Dubai Mall

Thursday night we went to Dubai Mall. The Mall is huge and goes on over four levels and some what overwhelming just about every Fashion label is represented as well as some of the worlds department stores like Bloomingdales, Galeries LaFayette, Marks & Spencer.
This Mall also has an Ice Skating Rink, largest Aquarium in the world. It is reputed to be the largest Mall in the world with 1200 shops. Outside on the half hour the Fountains play to music.Casting it's shadow is the Burj Khalifa towering into the sky. It was Thursday night and the start of the weekend for Emirati people. The shopping centre become more crowded as the night wore on. We decided to have dinner at a Arabic Resturant Al Hallab and were lucky enough to secure a table. Later we wondered out into the many levels of the Mall and the crowd had definately built up. I decided to hold my camera on the R-Strap with my finger on the shutter and basically take photos street style so I can give you a feel for the people. I am quite happy with the outcome.

Young Girl who asked I take her Photo

The Aquarium

Out by the Fountain

The Burj through the  Fountain Spray

The Playing Fountain

Diners @ Al Hallab

Gold ATM at Galeries LaFayette

Ice Skating Rink

A Night in Sharjah

Everyday we have taken the trek Katrina makes twice a day to take Costa and Mia to and from work and school. Costa is a professor at Higher Colleges of Techology for Women. It is in an area in Sharjah known as University City that has a very impressive drive and many universities including the Americian University.  Across from this is Mia's school the Australian International School that follows the Queensland school cirriculum. We have already met up with another former workmate, Kustave who is teaching prep this year and moves up to  teaching year four in the new school year. I have taken a few photos as we have driven by in the car during the day but decided to take some night photos. Mia was having a star gazing evening at school so whilst we were waiting I took the opportunity to take some long exposure night shots. Have to say the granduer of the place is not conveyed through the photos but it has to be seen to believe. One of the few grassy areas of Dubai.

Kashew the Kat

Ah I wondered when I was going to get a chance to tell my story..ah laptop left unattended. Let me tell you something of myself. I am the boss of this house, I am an eleven year old persian cat and I was born in Australia, I am Costa's right hand man we lie around all day and get Katrina to run around after us. Two years ago I was shipped over to Dubai...you could say I am closer to home. I have my own bathroom which I share with the washing machine..I have always been an inside cat and quite frankly why would I go out? The odd time I venture outside when Katrina hangs the washing...oh it is so hot why spend time out there? Besides I have the run of an Air Conditioned house. Most times I laze around on the lounge, at night I sleep in my bed in the master bedroom, with my staff not even their Daughter Mia still does that. We got a couple of visitors at the moment. They are okay, he keeps shoving a camera in my face, but the old shelia keeps kissing and petting me and cutting out all my furballs....sorry have to someone is coming...

Haggling in Karama

Today after Coffee and a Pastry at the Mirdif centre Katrina took us to Karama. Karama is an area in which there are copy bags, watches, clothing as well as selling Dubai  souveniers. We were in search of a Prada wallet, black to be precise. Do you have Prada?..no Prada sorry...then 5 minutes later Boss Boss follow me. So here I was led upstairs having to duck my head go between walls over plumbing pipes then into a room behind a false wall to find a small area fully stocked with Prada,Hermes and Louis Vuitton copies of Bags and Wallets. The air conditioning  was switched on for me..after a little haggling I came away with a Prada Wallet. So for 245 DHS about $63.00 I was the lucky owner of a Prada copy ladies wallet. Hope the intended owner likes it. From there we went next door and again were lead upstairs up and around ducking our heads as we went,  they even served cold water here, once again a great array of copy/fake bags. Onto the next shop want bags, watch? Bling Bling watch? Cost nothing to look. I mistakenly took up the offer of looking at some watches. Once again I was lead upstairs a foldup table set up and a plastic chair provided..was I going to get out alive?...Next behind a false wall boxes of TAG Huer,Omega, Breitling and Rolex watches were presented. How much ? 350 DHS? A quick calculation on the iPhone currency calculator..$88 hmm no I not want watch...as I moved to go back down stairs the price had dropped to 200 DHS about $50. They were begging me to buy, please youn are fist customer I do special price, how about two watches for 300DHS..no I don't want a  watch as Su comes up the stairs looking for me. Anyhow we got away with some great stuff you see it when I come back I am sure you wont miss it. In the meantime one of the best days if not for the entertainment value...I might have to go back there.

An Evening at Festival City Mall

Pool Deck Crowne Plazza

As if a day at the Mirdif Centre was not enough after dinner we headed to Festival City Mall, Su took time out to go to Marks and Spencer whilst Katrina along with Mia on her scooter took me through the Mall, into The InterContinental Dubai Festival City and then through to Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City, pool deck. From here I was able to take photos  towards Dubai City. The Burj Khalifa through the haze was visible along with other buildings. The  Festival City Mall has a marina alongside as well. It is not quite as big as the Mirdif centre in my opinion although there is a walkway across to IKEA. There were a few different outlets here including a shop dedicated to everything Ferrari. Dubai reminds me so much of Las Vegas in many ways, the glitz the glammer and everything on a grand scale. There are beautifil eateries dotted around the centre and for  a monday night it was reasonably busy. Although Katrina told me to wait for Friday. Sorry folks my posts have got a little out of order...also a full selection of my photos can be found at Iconphotos

Looking across to the Intercontinental

The Marina

Looking through walkway window to hotel

Business Bay Crossing

New Apartment Block

Looking towards Dubai City Burj Khalifa just Visible

Dragon Mart Dubai

Inside Dragon Mart



Heading down the highway...

 No visit to Dubai should go without a visit to the Famous Dragon Mart. This shopping centre houses 100's of traders predominately from Asian who sell a wide variety of wares. We walked in from the carpark into the lighting area. The variety and relative cheapness of the light fittings has to be seen to believed.  In the clothing line there is many Arab wear shops as well as Lingere and for Children myriads of Sponge Bob Square pants clothing. There are row upon row of shops selling bags and cases. Shoes also featured well. Su was able to find a few traders that sold beads so she was made up adding to her collection. I did not find much in the way of electronic gadgetry but to be truthful I doubt we covered less than a third of the place. I had also been warned that the electronic gadgetry was a  bit suspect from Dragon Mart. 

Earlier in the morning Katrina took us for a drive down to Jumeirah where the Burj Al Arab is. I took a few photos and Su paddled in the Persian Gulf waters there. The drive to Jumeirah then onto where Dragon mart took us along a 12 lane highway that literally is built in the dessert. Once again I kick myself for not havinmg shares in a concrete plant. With the freeway, Metro Rail and the continous building going on concrete seemsto be  in high demand. The futuristic looking rail stations remind me of giant armidellos. Katrina needed to fill her car today and she handed over 50 DHS and with fuel at 1.72 DHS (43 cents Aust) there is no need to advertise the price of petrol and for 1.72 DHS  a litre that includes full friveway assistance. It got up to 38 degrees today and you can easily see why the bus stops are fully air conditioned, another interesting site as you drive along.

Fuel so Cheap!

The reminder you are in the dessert

The Haze 9.30 am

Through the Haze Burj Khalifa

Burj Al Arab and two Girls I met..lol

Railway Station

Air Conditioned Bus Stops

Paddlling in the Persian Gulf